By Fatima Saka
Abuja, Nigeria — Vice President Kashim Shettima has commended the strategic partnership between the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and SpaceX’s Starlink following the donation of 91 satellite communication terminals to strengthen Nigeria’s disaster preparedness and response capacity.
The communication equipment, provided by the Starlink SpaceX Crisis Response Team, is expected to significantly enhance real-time coordination and information sharing during emergencies, particularly in remote and underserved areas where conventional communication infrastructure is limited.
The donation was facilitated through proactive engagements by NEMA with the technology firm, aimed at leveraging innovative digital solutions to improve emergency communication systems across the country.
As part of the engagement, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, led a SpaceX delegation on a courtesy visit to the Vice President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Shettima described the collaboration as a critical intervention that would strengthen national disaster management efforts, noting that effective communication remains central to timely and coordinated emergency response.
He further applauded NEMA for embracing modern technology to improve its operational efficiency, stressing that such partnerships are vital to building a resilient emergency response framework.
Earlier, Mrs. Umar expressed gratitude to SpaceX Starlink for the donation, emphasizing that the terminals would address longstanding communication challenges encountered during disaster operations.
She explained that the equipment would support the Agency’s National Emergency Coordination and Communication Centre, enhance field operations, and enable faster, data-driven decision-making during crises.
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Also speaking, SpaceX representative, Mr. Peter Kroetger, praised Nigeria’s disaster management architecture, acknowledging NEMA’s institutional strength and commitment to preparedness and response.
He reaffirmed the company’s support for initiatives that improve emergency communication systems and strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities.
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